Out of Africa come tales of riches of different sort

DR. DAVID P. RICEPastor, Ancient City Baptist Church

Published Friday, April 27, 2001

It is always amazing to me how one learns lessons of life in unexpected ways. I recently lead a mission team to southern Africa. We flew into Lusaka, Zambia and then traveled over-land to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

We were well prepared as we left. We had many of our friends praying for us, that we would be effective in accomplishing our mission. With all that attention, we found ourselves feeling rather elated and confident as we traveled to this faraway place. The experience would be one in which we would be surprised at what we would learn.

Let me set a Biblical foundation for just one moment. Then I will continue my story.

In the Bible book of The Revelation, the Lord speaks to a church through the Apostle John. This church was located in Smyrna, a city rebuilt by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. The Christian church there was suffering significantly, due to the strong Roman influence in that city. The Christians were faced with a decision. Swear allegiance to Caesar as Lord and enjoy economic privilege, or maintain allegiance to Christ as Lord and suffer. When John wrote the letter to them in Revelation 2, he commended them with these words: ''I know your poverty, (but thou art rich).'' These people living in Smyrna knew the keen pain of their poverty: they were malnourished; the clothing they wore was tattered and outdated. Yet, as our Lord looks at them, he exclaims to them that they are in fact rich.

The opening section of the Revelation contains seven letters written to seven churches of Asia Minor. We believe that these letters were actually read to the churches they were addressed to.

I would love to have been in the Smyrna church when the letter was read, and I would have loved to have seen the reaction to the statement: ''Thou art rich.'' When those faithful folks heard that, I can't help but believe that they looked at each other. They saw concerned faces, tattered clothing, hungry children; not the normal things one associates with prosperity and wealth.

As I traveled throughout Africa, I was reminded of the church in Smyrna. I saw great poverty. I saw children with swollen bellies from malnutrition. I saw clothing that was tattered and torn and would be fit for use as rags here in our country. I saw houses that had grass roofs and mud walls.

But then I saw something else after a time. I saw people who genuinely cared for one another. I saw that even in their poverty they were willing to give what they had, though it was so meager. I saw joy that was not tied to material things or ones status in life. I remember thinking, these people are so poor, but let's not spoil it by telling them.

Then the real truth struck me. While they were poor in many ways, they were rich! In fact, as I stood and pondered it, a sense of my own poverty overwhelmed me. Standing there in a place devoid of running water, electricity, TV and stock portfolios, I saw a wealth that truly became something quite attractive to me. Suddenly, the teacher became the pupil. The very ones whom I went to teach were teaching me.

Does this mean that we all need to sell our homes and move to Africa and live in a hut?

I feel no compulsion to do that. I am thankful for the bounty of God that we so freely enjoy. No, I am not planning on relocating to a hut in Zambia...but I will tell you, that I have done an inventory. I have taken the time to realize that it's people and relationships that really are the true wealth! The fame, fortune, power and pleasure we so zealously pursue, in the end leave us still searching.

Listen to the Word of God out of the Message:

''You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

''You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

''You're blessed when you're content with just who you are -- no more, no less.

''That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be brought.'' (Matthew 5:2-5)

I tell you...You are rich! Don't let the poverty of materialism rob you of that truth!